FALLWATCH

A wearable miniaturized fall detection system for the elderly

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Falls among the elderly occur frequently. Approximately 30% of people over 65 fall accidentally each year, and for those over 80 this rate raises up to 50%. Falls are an important factor in the health limitations of the elderly due to a high morbidity caused by physical and psychological consequences, loss of independence and even death. Late or non existing responses cause 2 million persons having to be hospitalized and approximately 85000 deaths can be attributed each year to this fact. There are a number of alarm devices trying to satisfy the need of an early intervention in case of fall, but existing fall detectors do not have a remarkable social impact neither a significant market penetration: just 4.5% of Europe's potential end users have any of the existing social alarms. Two facts hinder their effectiveness of the existing fall detectors, capping therefore the market demand: bad ergonomics and lack of reliability. FallWatch project proposes a new generation fall detector device included in a whole fall detection system and is thought as an effective way of minimizing the consequences of falls in the elderly. FallWatch will automatically detect a fall and immediately contact the health services to allow an early intervention. FallWatch will produce, on the one hand, a miniaturized fall detector device of a scale reduction by 50% of existing devices, and on the other hand, biocompatible materials for the device’s package and for an adhesive patch to comfortably stick the device to the user’s skin. FallWatch system will solve the reliability problem by using both wearable device and environmental infra red sensors at the user’s home and developing a specific data fusion algorithm that will cross check the variables to avoid false alarms. In order to achieve the ergonomics and reliability goals, FallWatch project will work in different technological areas which are widely explained along this proposal.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Fall detectors, used mostly by the elderly, are limited by bad ergonomics and unreliability. A group of researchers proposed a new-generation device encompassing a whole fall detection system that enables early intervention and minimises the consequences of falls for this vulnerable population.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Funded by the EU, the objective of the project 'A wearable miniaturised fall-detection system for the elderly' http://www.fallwatch-project.eu/ ((FALLWATCH)) was to develop a wearable and radio-communicating fall-detection device. The first of its kind, the Vigi'Fall solution comprises a miniaturised embedded electronic device patched to the skin.

Seeking to overcome deficiencies of existing fall-detection products, FALLWATCH project partners advanced the concept of a comprehensive system able to manage a fall event from the moment it happens. From detecting the event to assessing its cause to initiating medical intervention, Vigi'Fall is a 'context-aware' rather than a standalone system.

Embedded on the holder, the device continuously measures kinematics and classifies the situation according to low, medium or high activity. Another system component, an in-home control box, monitors ambient activity from movement detectors, classifying the situation on its own three-degree scale (inactivity, average or exceptional).

Miniaturisation of the device involved complex technological routes for electronics (miniaturised multi-chip module (MCM)) and battery miniaturisation. Other technical work included development of a fall-detection algorithm, the construction and testing of an electrochromic display, the development and manufacture of a functional mechanical biocompatible package, and the selection of silicon material for the housing.

The prototype has been delivered and integrates the whole system, covering MCM, battery, electrochromic device, package and patch. Vigi'Fall has been validated on a first version of the prototype; following the industrialisation phase, it will be refined to produce a commercial first version of the device.

FALLWATCH achievements not only have the potential to better respond to the needs of the elderly in the event of a fall; a range of sectors will also benefit greatly. Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) partners will boost their competitiveness and help develop MCM and battery design, biocompatible materials and packaging, electrochromic pigments and high-tech electronics in general. Moreover, SMEs will have extended opportunities in the human health market.